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write your own review of the TenTec Hercules II.
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KU7I
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 27, 2011 06:18
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very good 500watt class amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Bought this used from the 2nd owner. Had to adjust R3 on the control board so I could get 550 watts out on all bands before it would go into "overdrive". See some of the reviews here for mods to make improvements. Also Google "ten tec hercules" and you will see some other websites for improvements. I use two Astron RS-70's and it works perfect, 550 watts out all day long in ssb or cw. I have not tried the full qsk mode since I only use semi-qsk. The "standby" mode is putting the amp in qsk from the front panel if using the relay key method. Took me a while to figure this out. I usually need about 40 watts of drive for 550 watts out. Collector current is way under max with 550 watts out. I customized the power plug so one RS-70 feeds amp modules 1 and 2 and the other RS-70 feeds modules 3 and 4. I do NOT use the Astron "parallel" jack on the back of the supplies. You could run (4) RS-35s by running one to each of the 4 amp modules. This is how Ten Tec does it with their power supply designed for the amp. They use five separate 20 amp PS, one for the driver and one each to the four amp modules. Took me a while to figure out how they did it. I really really like this amp. VERY user serviceable. My only gripe is the case is cheaply done and the molex connector is not the best way to go for high current. I have not replaced the stock molex connector but plan to do so later on. This is a lifetime keeper. Ten Tec made a fair amount of these so they are not too hard to find on the used market. For serious dx or serious rag chews on 40 meters I use another tube type amp that gets me legal limit output but for most other qso activity I run the Ten Tec. Also this is my first solid state amp. I run all bands 160 to 10 including WARC so this was a good choice. I was also looking at the Icom 2KL but liked how easy this was to service. Also liked how you have options for the B+ power source. Can not recommend enough. The manual is available for download on the Ten Tec site. The matching PS is available for download on another site somewhere (Google Ten Tec 9920 and you will find it). Ten Tec does not yet have it on their website as of a few weeks ago. Get one and have fun, just keep in mind this is a 500watt OUTPUT class amp. Each of the four modules is rated at 250 watts INPUT which is only 1000 watts input max so 550 out is a reasonable expectation. Watch your collector current. Each module is rated at 18 amps max which is only 72 amps total. 550 watts out is way below this max (somewhere around 60 amps). I love this amp. I wish they would make a 1kw output version. You can email me at lanenavyrn@aol.com if you have any questions. I have heard the transistors used in this are no longer avl. I have not verifed this but I also expect that they should last a lifetime if the amp is run according to specs. I also run the two RS-70s at 14.4 vdc each. with two in parallel I see around 40 amps of current draw per PS at max power out keydown.
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W4VKU
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 29, 2011 00:49
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A good amp. Works real well
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had an ALS-500M. Did the QSK mod and did not
like the crankiness of its SWR foldback scheme.
I was looking for a light weight amp to carry to
VU4PB. In my long search for value/weight, i
did consider the ALS600 and the Tentec Herc II.
After reading some reviews, i decided to try the
Tentec Herc. To my good luck, i had a local ham
offer one for sale. I purchased the amp.
Performance - I ran the Amp on SSB and RTTY on
17m from VU4PB. I used a 2ele+40m steppir. The
30m swr was a little bit below 2:1. The amp did
not wink. I used it during my entire stay in
VU4PB and like the amp and recommend it to anyone
needing a value amp. I used an Iota Engg 90amp
supply. This amp might actually draw more current
like others had pointed out. I could not find a
PS that would do more than 90amp @14.4v and is
lightweight/rugged/reliable. Did over 2000 Qso's
with it and got good reports from many parts of
NA.
I sold the ALS-500m which is ok for casual op, but for a Dxped, i think the Tentec Herc is a
winner. It lived to its reputation for a good,
reliable amp. Never over drove it.
If you find a clean one, pick it up.
73s
Gl
krish
w4vku
vu2vku
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ZS4U
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2010 02:15
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Amazing little Amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had mine for a year now after picking it up second hand for $550. What a good "investment"! I agree with all the 5 ratings earlier - such a shame that Ten Tec stopped producing such bang for the buck........ Anyway - used it in a contest for the first time - ran the whole weekend at 400 watts with NO glitch or fans screaming to pump out heat! Did 1200 QSO's in about 20 hours on 10M. If you can lay your hands on an untampered one - GRAB it!
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W4CSC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 20, 2009 21:30
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honest 650w after cleanup
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Read the reviews of my fav mobile amp I've had for years. Once you get the "cheap" out of it, like feeding 100A through a cheap Molex connector, and getting rid of the 5A pushon connectors inside it's a great amp. Remove all the pushon DC wires and replace with fine stranded high power car stereo cables. Two 60A fuses in rear air plenum in holders. #0 cables from here to battery. Same from fuse block to central power distribution board. SOLDER to tabs cheap 5A pushons came off of and solder heavily all DC traces/tabs on this board. Solder #4 from this board to each of the 4 amp boards, heavily. Amp draws 120A after improvements now running on 13VDC, not 10VDC from Molex and pushon wires. DO NOT CONNECT TO SCREWDRIVER MOBILE ANTENNAS as they will be destroyed. Homebrew bug catcher has big coronas at top on 40M down....(c;]
73 DE W4CSC/M4
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KQ0C
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2007 13:21
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Doesn't get any easier
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought a used Herc II on ebay in terrific condition. This is my first amp... and what could be easier? No tuning... and a dependable 500 watts. When I forget to switch bands, no output, but no other dramas. I'm using a Astron 70 AMP power supply, which handles 500 watts just fine. The total package (amp and power supply) cost me $1,000 which is barely more than a new tube amp would run... and I can QSY at will instead of spending all my time tuning.
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W9ZX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 8, 2007 21:39
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wonderful amplifier
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Like another reviewer I purchased my first Herc II new in 1994. I liked it so well I bought my second new one in 1995. I still have both of them and would not consider selling either one. Neither is used mobile and both get a fair amount of use in my shack. They are extremely quiet so its much like operating a 500 watt transceiver. Over the years I think each one has been back to Tentec once. They are simple to operate and not nearly as cranky about SWR like most other solid state amps. I recommend the Herc II without reservation. I can't imagine why Tentec quit making them.
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WA1RAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2007 05:46
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The Big Easy!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Purchased new in 1994 with Ten-Tec remote head and power supply. After 12+ years Herc II ownership and 40+ years exp with other amps (BTI LK-2000, Collins 30s-1 30l-1, Drake L-4b, heath sb-220, Henry 2k-4 3k, Kenwood tl-922, Nat'l ncl-2000, etc.) I now feel qualified to write a review.
When most people walk into the shack they ask where the amp is, thanks to the Herc II remote head, which is the best thing since sliced bread. Rarer than hens teeth, but worth every cent...if you see one, buy it!!
The amp itself has never given me a problem -- not one, ever. Absolutely reliable. Totally broadband coverage with no tune up required. Just switch the band switch and transmit 500+ w! It has good self-protection circuitry, so hamfists, such as myself have no worries. Don't hesitate to buy one if you can find one!
The power supply (90-100 amps at 12vdc) is compact and has never given me any problems whatsoever. You can run the amp on a car battery (deep cycle only) if you wish, so it would be easy to use the amp either mobile or maritime, but I haven't done so. I just use the amp at home. The power supply is a nice accessory to have, but not absolutely necessary, depending on your requirements.
The tiny remote control head is a little gem, and a work of art!! Just switch the band switch and transmit!! Again -- buy, buy, buy, if you can find one!
Cabling these 3 ten-tec pieces together couldn't be easier, and I've never had any problems interconnecting the amp with non-ten tec equipment.
This amp and its accessories are any easy 5. My only recommendation to any potential buyer is to just check the amp out prior to purchase.
If Ten Tec were to start manufacturing the Herc II again they'd probably sell a million. A smart buy!!!
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KO0Q
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 26, 2007 21:09
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Excellent Unit
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have owned a Hercules II about a month and it works flawlessly. I purchased the Ten Tec 311 Band Data Converter to connect the amp to my Orion II for remote band switching. I've never used a tube amp, but this solid state amp is about as easy as it gets to use.
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K3SRO
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 25, 2006 10:18
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great amp, very quiet, well made, good value for the dollar
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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It is too bad that Ten Tec does not make the Hercules II any longer. It was a pricey amplifier, but it is well made, quiet and takes up little desk space. The only problem with this amplifer is that you need a hefty 80 amp P/S to operate it. It can be used with a marine battery, but maintaining a charge on the battery is annoying. Care should be taken when operating this amp indoors with a marine battery system (battery fumes). The 9420 P/S (100 amps) was a nice option to power both the Hercules II and a Ten Tec HF transceiver, but it was an expensive option. The amp will usually have a maximum output of 500 watts with the exception of 10 meters. I use my Hercules II with the OMNI VI+ and the auto 253 antenna tuner. It makes a great auto 500 watt station. The internal fan on the amp is whisper quiet too.
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HB9AZT
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 11, 2005 02:19
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Best Amp for remoters!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use this amplifier for a internet remote operated station together with a kenwood ts-2000. It's a very stable and reliable amp and brings up to 600 watts with about 50-70 watts input. It has a very nice feature for remoters: bands are switchable via external relays, so just connect it to the band output of a microham interface and you have the perfect amp for a remote operated station. It has also an output for the fault marker of the protection circuit, so you can check any faults via a web i/o-device. The harmonic suppression is excellent, i measured more than 50 dB. If you find one, don't hesitate to buy it!
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